I am throwing around ideas for a scope for my .416 Rem. Found a gloss leupold M8 4x that would look great on the gun....but the only fixed zoom scopes I own have been on .22's.

I am open to variable vs fixed...Would like to keep the cost under $1,000. I also saw a Zeiss Conquest Duralyt 1.2-5x36 That would look nice on there as well.

What scope is on your big bore? Likes/Dislikes/issues? Photos?

I've got a Leupold 2.5 - 8 on my .416. Works great.

Leupold VX3 ranging from 1.5-5x 20 through to 2-7x 32 on my 416 ,450/400 etc. never had a problem with a Leupold on anything

My 400 Whelen alternates between a Lyman 48 sight and a Redfield 2 3/4x Post and Crosshair.

On my 416 Rem Mag is a 1-4x Swarovski, both of my 415 Rigbys have 1.5-5x Leupolds. For elk hunting, I would go up to a 2.5-8x36mm Vari-X III. You just cannot beat that scope!

I have an as new Trijicon 1x4x24 with the amber post. In my estimation it may be the ultimate DG scope and it's well within your price range. PM me if your are interested.

Mark

If you look through the 300+ pages of Michael458's work on Big Bore & DR shooting you will see his comments on scores used on DG rifles. He is not a fan of the Leupold. He likes the Nikon African IIRC.

I put a Leupold 1.5-6X illuminated 30mm scope on my 416 Rigby & shot more than 400 rounds without any problems.

My pre 64 M70 .308 has worn a Leupold M8 fixed 4 power for decades and just keeps on keeping on. From a new box of 168 grain ammo, it has in the last year taken one elk, one coyote and Hogzilla, with only 3 shots. That box may last me for years as I quit wasting .308 ammo at the range some time back.

My Simson Suhl .405 double rifle has a Leupold VX 3 and it has an accurate track record too.



My other big bores (a 1895 .405 ,1886s in 45-70 and 45-90,etc) do not have scopes.

While leupold 2.5x compacts are on many of my guns and served me well, basically I've moved to small red dot sights now. You shoot just as well or better out to 100 yards or more with a red dot as compared to a scope. Keeps you shooting with both eyes open and is demonstrably faster on target acquisition and especially on moving targets. The battery life concerns are a non issue too. I really like the Trijicon RMRs but others work just as well.

I put a forward mounted 1x Pentax turkey scope on my .500 A2. I shoot it with both eyes open and find it very effective. To be sure, it's not very fashionable.

Trijicon 1x4 or 1x6. I now have the circle dot and love it. Illumination with no batteries. Have one on 450/400 and 375 H&H, no problems. At 1 power it is basically a red dot ( or what ever color you choose) I like the green myself.

I have a 2-7 Leupold on my 375 H&H and a Z6I 1-6 Sarovski on my 450-400 and they are both perfect for the capabilities of these two rifles. For the price though I would choose a Leupold 1.5x5. I have used this scope on 416 Rigby, 375 H&H, 458 Lott 460 Wby. Mag. and 505 Empire just to name a few and never had a minutes trouble from the scope. This is a versatile scope, withstands recoil well and is a good value for the money.

Nikon.monarch 3x9 on my 416 rem mag .I have shot it 1600 times no trouble .We tested several others Burris posilock it lasted one shot and a Leopold vari x I lasted ten shots and a a vortex failed too .

I have a Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36mm standard duplex on my 375 Ruger Guide Gun. Thinking about changing the standard duplex to a German #4 reticle though. Hunting in dark timber in rain at close range the standard duplex is fading on my eyes.

With the exception of one rifle, all I use are fixed 6 power Weavers. That has been my choice on everything from .22 Hornet to.458 Win. Mag.

416 Rem: Leu 2.5x8x36

458 Lott: Leu 1.75x6x32

450 NE DR: Open sights

I use a 2.5-8 Leupold on my 9.3x62 and also on 2- 375 H&H's. I have a 2-7 Leupold on my 400 Whelen.
I like that range of scope, 2x or 2.5X for close work and more magnification in case you are sorting something out (threading the needle) or shooting long.
If I had a 416-458 it would be scoped similarly.
On all my rifles 9.3 and up I have useful and sighted in irons and QR rings.

quote:

Originally posted by Robgunbuilder:
While leupold 2.5x compacts are on many of my guns and served me well, basically I've moved to small red dot sights now. You shoot just as well or better out to 100 yards or more with a red dot as compared to a scope. Keeps you shooting with both eyes open and is demonstrably faster on target acquisition and especially on moving targets. The battery life concerns are a non issue too. I really like the Trijicon RMRs but others work just as well.

any I particular you prefer? I've thought about using red dots but wondered if they're strong enough, most seem pretty fragile, meant for pistols or ARs

The Trijicon 3.5 MOA is my favorite. They hold up to the recoil of any big bore just fine. You can always mount one on top of a leupold 2.5X to give yourself redundancy assuming you mount the scope as low as possible. In dim light or for fast shooting they are unbeatable.

Browning Safari Grade 375 H&H
Kahles Helia S 1.1X4.5x20 30mm

I've got a Leupold VarX-III 2.5x8 on my 375 Ruger. Plan using for a grizzly hunt this June in AK.

I really like the Trijicon scopes with the green dot. I used the 1-4X on my .416 and put a 3-9X on my .375. I keep that one set to 3X unless I want it higher. Then turn it back to 3X. The green dot lights up a Cape Buffalo like a glow-stick.

2.5-8X Leupold on my 375 H&H

1.5-6X Leupold on my 458 Win Mag

quote:

Originally posted by BB416:
Leupold VX3 ranging from 1.5-5x 20 through to 2-7x 32 on my 416 ,450/400 etc. never had a problem with a Leupold on anything

+1 have a Leupold 1.5-5x on my 500 Jeffery and my son's 416 Rem

quote:

Originally posted by Hogbreath:
I've got a Leupold 2.5 - 8 on my .416. Works great.

I have the same on my .416 Rigby and I agree.
I have a Vortex PST on my .458 Lott and it won't hold zero, gonna replace it with a Leupold 2.5 x 8
My .375 H&H has a Leupold 3x9, works fine.

For the 500, two scopes:
a. Nikon Slughunter 1.6-5, with 5" eye-relief, and
b. Nikon Inline 3-9, with 5" eye-relief.

For the 416 Rigbys,
a. Nikon Monarch 2-8, with 4" eye-relief
and
b. Nikon Inline 3-9, with 5" eye-relief.

For the 375 Ruger,
Nikon Inline 3-9, with 5" eye-relief.

I have been very happy with the Nikon Monarch but have slowly moved my rifles over to the Nikon Inline (muzzleloader series) because of the 5-inch eye-relief. All of the Nikons are tough as nails.

I have a Leupold Vari-X III 1.5-5 on my Steyr .458 Win Mag. It has been mounted since around 1999, in Warne quick-release rings.

It has the heavy duplex reticle.

It's never been off the rifle, and zero hasn't changed in 18 years, even after several plane trips and probably 400-500 rounds of 500 grain Woodleighs through the barrel.

I can't comment about current-production Leupolds.

My favorite scope on a DG rifle is the old 3X fixed Leupold up to a 416 Rem or 404...larger calibers than that I only use the 2.5X leupold compact as its recoil proof forever it seems..

If a variable, and I don't much care for varibles a 1.5x5 or 1x4 Leupold would be my choice up to one of the 40 calibers like a 416 or 404..

Recoil is the big bores enemy..I know a lot of folks rave about varibles of all kinds on big bores working, and they work fine as a closet queen which most big bores are btw..but if you intend to send 250 to 300 rounds through a 458 Lott or 505, you can spend lots of money on scopes..OK lets hear the BS..

The 4x fixed

I have used Leupolds since 1969. We have many 2.5x8s, 3 1.75x6s, a couple old VX2 3x9s, a few fixed powers and a 1.5x5 used on my .375H&H. No failures. I have over 500rds through my 338Rum with the Vx3 1.75x6. We now have 6 guns with Vx3 2.5x8s and love them.

Nikon Slughunter 1.5-5x on my 458 Win Mag Remington 798 bolt action. Full 5" eye relief and very rugged construction, with good brightness.

My .375 will be wearing a 3x9 leupold after tonight.

quote:

Originally posted by analog_peninsula:
I put a forward mounted 1x Pentax turkey scope on my .500 A2. I shoot it with both eyes open and find it very effective. To be sure, it's not very fashionable.

My Mauser 404 has worn a 2X Leupold EER pistol scope in original Weaver rings on a Weaver one piece base for 3 decades. I just wear sparkly shirts and pointy shoes when hunting to make up for lack of fashion

So many people recommended the 2.5-8x36 Leupold that I think I am going to order one for it. Wish they made it in Gloss...

Now I just need to sell 8 boxes of Remington .300wsm ammo to help fund it

quote:

Originally posted by Buglemintoday:
So many people recommended the 2.5-8x36 Leupold that I think I am going to order one for it. Wish they made it in Gloss...

Now I just need to sell 8 boxes of Remington .300wsm ammo to help fund it

I bet Leupold Custom Shop can supply a gloss blued scope. Call or email them. They have been helpful when I called them.

Your not likely to have any problems with a decent scope on calibers up to and including he 404 and 416...No need for concern until you get to about the 458 Lott and the big 500s..They rip scopes like a bum in a donut shop unless they are closet queens.

Leupold 1.5-5 on my 404 Jeffery.
Doug

1.75-6x Leupold on my .416 Rigby.

1.1X4 S&B
&
1.5X6 S&B

Can't beat them.

Just ordered my Leupold VX3i 2.5-8x36. $329.75 + free shipping

I appreciate all of the responses. This has made the choice very simple.

Most scope above are excellent scopes, including the Leupold 2.5-8.

And its eye-relief at 8-power is ...? (Same question at 6-power on a 1.75-6, eye-relief is ...?)

As muzzle-energies rise above 4500-5000 I personally like the eye-relief to rise above 4 inches.

It is something to think about when choosing the appropriate rifles for mounting.
Of course, most important is to hold correctly. Head up (not creeping the stock), ready to ride the recoil.